It’s been a little over a week since we bought our Christmas tree (noble fir) and the dreaded needle drop has begun.

It seemed almost mystical when I heard that my MIL in England has a “no needle drop” variety of Christmas tree this year. Why do we not have such a variety? Why are we as Americans destined to a needled existence?!

I have no answers, except for living proof of said variety here and here.

When we were living in London ten years ago, I remember buying our Christmas tree online for £5 and was delivered to the house in a cardboard box – all six feet of it! Once we unwrapped the box and cut the netting that enveloped the tree, voila! Instant Christmas tree!

And so it seems fitting that ten years later, the Christmas tree industry in the U.K. would progress to non-needle drop Christmas trees. What next? Trees that decorate themselves? Trees that tie themselves to the roof of your car? Trees that never do that leaning thing?

Finally, for those looking for alternative Christmas trees on our side of the pond, look no further than Apartment Therapy’s round-up of the best 15. These will definitely not drop needles!